Log Entry: Saturday, June 5th, 1999

El Capitan Passage to Hole in the Wall (Prince of Wales Island): 20 nm

Sunny with cloudy patches.

Three boats went by at 6:30 am …

We lounged about until 9:30, then dinghied over to the Forestry Service camp, and immediately departed with Joe for the cave tour. The cave was incredible. It is completely undeveloped, and requires a fair bit of agility, especially at the entrance, which is partially blocked by people-sized boulders. Inside, we trekked through about a quarter of the length, of just the main level, of which there about three or four. Somewhere way beyond the point at which we stopped is the Alaska Room, about the of two football fields, the biggest cave chamber in Alaska. We learned interesting stuff: the cave is used by (about 100) little brown bats in the summertime: these bats have the mass of a nickel!

To get to the cave, one must climb 375 steps.

Bones have been discovered in this cave which call into question the entire theory of how people got across the Bering Straits. Evidence now suggests that people might have come across by ocean-going canoe, rather than walked across …

If you crunch a evergreen Lifesaver in total darkness, you’ll see a flash of light; in total darkness, some people can see the infrared image of their hand if waved in front of their eyes close up …

Jane's log:

"After a great tour of the caves at El Capitan Peak, and a sociable visit with Joe and Ula, we left for Hole in the Wall.

"Motoring all the way: what a great passage.  We negotiated our way through the 'dry passages' and into Shakar Bay.  Spotted otters, seals, and a small porpoise along the way.  The otter seemed interested in us for a while, and then appeared to show off!

"A leaping salmon jumped twice near the stern.

"Came out into Sumner Strait, where the swell was a gentle 3-4 feet.

"Saw the usual collection of eagles, and heard a woodpecker when we anchored."

Dinner: Thai green curry, home-made bread pudding for desert …

[We lost the chain stripper as we anchored: it flew off the windlass into the water.  Lucky not to have been hit by it. We will try to live without it for now, as there is no spare on board ...]